Vortical cyclone cluster apparatus

Abstract

A cluster of closely spaced cyclones are arranged with their axes in parallel spaced relation, and cylindrical portions of the cyclones form rigid connections between parallel walls which define a chamber for directing fluid into corresponding tangential inlets within the cyclones. In one embodiment, the walls are formed by flanges molded as integral parts of the plastic cyclone bodies, and the flanges are interconnected by key members. In another embodiment, the walls are formed by flat plates which are rigidly connected by independently removable molded plastic bodies having integral threads. Each of the cyclones includes a replaceable apex cone section which may be ceramic and has an externally threaded portion projecting into an apex discharge chamber defined between an inner wall and a parallel spaced transparent outer wall. Each apex cone section is secured to the inner wall by a nut member, and the transparent outer wall is provided with an axially aligned opening and valve for each cyclone for introducing a back flushing fluid or to produce a vacuum at the apex end. The apex cone sections may be secured to the apex discharge housing by threaded sleeves which also form spacers between the walls of the housing and which support corresponding transparent rings. A ceramic probe is adjustable axially within each ring and has a conical inner end which cooperates with the apex end of the corresponding cyclone to define an adjustable annular discharge orifice. The opposite ends of the cyclones have molded plastic closures with vortex finders which project into a vortex chamber defined by a removable cover member. The vortex finders may also project into a tank connected to a vacuum source for deaerating liquid which is received within the tank.

The invention having thus been described, the following is claimed: 
     
       1. A cyclone assembly comprising a first wall member and a second wall member disposed in substantially parallel relation, means defining a plurality of corresponding sets of aligned openings within said first and second wall members, a cluster arrangement of elongated hydrocyclones having longitudinally extending parallel axes, each of said hydrocyclones including a rigid tubular inlet portion and a frusto conical portion having an apex end defining an outlet, said inlet portion of each of said hydrocyclone extending between a corresponding set of openings within said first and second wall members, a casing surrounding said first and second wall members and cooperating therewith to define a liquid supply chamber, means for directing a liquid at a substantial hydraulic pressure into said supply chamber, means forming an axially extending vortex passage for each of said hydrocyclones and projecting through the corresponding said opening within said first wall member, means defining a generally tangential inlet within said inlet portion of each hydrocyclone for directing the liquid from said supply chamber into said inlet portion of each hydrocyclone, means for rigidly securing said inlet portion of each said hydrocyclone to said first and second wall members, and said inlet portions of said hydrocyclones forming rigid connections between said first and second wall members to provide for withstanding the substantial hydraulic pressure of the liquid within said supply chamber. 
     
     
       2. A cyclone assembly as defined in claim 1 including a housing defining an outlet chamber for receiving the fluid from said apex ends of said cyclones, said housing generally parallel spaced inner and outer walls, said inner wall having openings for receiving said conical portions of said cyclones, each of said conical portions includes means forming peripherally extending threads, and a plurality of nut members disposed within said chambers for rigidly securing said conical portions of said cyclones to said inner wall of said housing. 
     
     
       3. A cyclone assembly as defined in claim 2 wherein said outer wall comprises a generally transparent plate to provide for conveniently observing the discharge of fluid from said apex ends of said cyclones and into said outlet chamber. 
     
     
       4. A cyclone assembly as defined in claim 2 wherein said outer wall includes a plurality of openings aligned axially with said cyclones, and means for injecting a fluid through each of said openings and into said apex end of each cyclone to release a blockage therein. 
     
     
       5. A cyclone assembly as defined in claim 4 including a probe member supported within each of said openings for axial adjustment, each said probe member has a generally conical inner end surface cooperating with the apex end of the corresponding said cyclone to define an annular discharge orifice for the cyclone, and means defining an axially extending passage within each said probe member to provide for injecting the fluid into the apex end of the cyclone. 
     
     
       6. A cyclone assembly as defined in claim 5 wherein each of said probe members comprises a ceramic material. 
     
     
       7. A cyclone assembly as defined in claim 2 wherein said nut members each comprises a tubular sleeve having axially spaced integral threaded portions for securing said inner and outer walls of said housing in said parallel spaced relation. 
     
     
       8. A cyclone assembly as defined in claim 7 including a substantially transparent ring supported within each of said sleeves, a probe member supported for axial adjustment within each said ring, and each said probe member has an inner surface which cooperates with the apex end of the corresponding cyclone to define an annular discharge orifice for the cyclone. 
     
     
       9. A cyclone assembly comprising a cluster arrangement of elongated cyclones having longitudinally extending parallel axes and formed of a substantially rigid material, each of said cyclones defining a separating chamber of circular cross-section and including a generally conical portion having an apex end defining an outlet, means forming an axially extending vortex passage for each of said cyclones, means defining a generally tangential inlet within each of said cyclones, first wall means rigidly connecting said cyclones, second wall means spaced axially from said first wall means and rigidly connecting said cyclones, said first and second wall means defining therebetween a fluid supply chamber connected to each of said inlets, said cyclones forming a rigid connection between said first and second wall means to provide for withstanding substantial fluid pressure within said supply chamber, a housing defining an outlet chamber for receiving the fluid from said apex ends of said cyclones, said housing including generally parallel spaced inner and outer walls, said inner wall having openings for receiving said conical portions of said cyclones, each of said conical portions includes means forming threads, a plurality of nut members within said chamber for rigidly securing said conical portions of said cyclones to said inner wall of said housing, said outer wall of said housing includes a plurality of openings aligned axially with said cyclones, and means for injecting a fluid through each of said openings and into said apex end of each cyclone to release a blockage therein. 
     
     
       10. A cyclone assembly comprising a cluster arrangement of elongated cyclones having longitudinally extending parallel axes, each of said cyclones defining a separating chamber of circular cross-section and including a generally conical portion having an apex end defining an outlet, means forming an axially extending vortex passage for each of said cyclones, means defining a generally tangential inlet within each of said cyclones, generally parallel spaced wall means connected to said cyclones and defining therebetween a fluid supply chamber connected to each of said inlets, a housing defining an outlet chamber for receiving the fluid from said apex ends of said cyclones, said housing including generally parallel spaced inner and outer walls, said inner wall having openings for receiving said conical portions of said cyclones, each of said conical portions includes means forming circumferential threads within said outlet chamber, and a plurality of nut members within said chamber for rigidly securing said conical portions of said cyclones to said inner wall of said housing. 
     
     
       11. A cyclone assembly as defined in claim 10 wherein said outer wall includes a plurality of openings aligned axially with said cyclones, a probe member supported within each of said openings for axial adjustment, and each said probe member has an inner surface cooperating with the apex end of the corresponding said cyclone to define an annular discharge orifice for said cyclone within said housing. 
     
     
       12. A cyclone assembly as defined in claim 11 wherein said nut members each comprise a tubular sleeve having means for securing said inner and outer walls of said housing in said parallel spaced relation. 
     
     
       13. A cyclone as defined in claim 10 wherein said outer wall of said housing is generally transparent to provide for conveniently observing the discharge of fluid from said apex ends of said cyclones and into said outlet chamber. 
     
     
       14. A cyclone as defined in claim 10 wherein said conical portion of each said cyclone comprises a ceramic material, and means secured to said ceramic material for forming said threads. 
     
     
       15. A cyclone assembly comprising a cluster arrangement of elongated cyclones, each of said cyclones defining a separate chamber of circular cross-section and including a generally conical portion having an apex end defining an outlet, means forming an axially extending vortex passage for each of said cyclones, means defining a generally tangential inlet within each of said cyclones, spaced wall means connected to said cyclones and defining therebetween a fluid supply chamber connected to each of said inlets, a housing defining an outlet chamber for receiving the fluid from said apex ends of said cyclones, said housing including spaced inner and outer walls, said inner wall having openings for receiving said conical portions of said cyclones, means for connecting said conical portions of said cyclones to said inner wall of said housing, said outer wall includes a plurality of openings aligned axially with corresponding said cyclones, a probe member supported within each of said openings for axial adjustment, each said probe member has an inner surface cooperating with the apex end of the corresponding said cyclone to define an annular discharge orifice for said cyclone within said housing, and means defining an axially extending passage within said probe member to provide for clearing a blockage within said apex end of said cyclone. 
     
     
       16. A cyclone as defined in claim 15 wherein said probe member comprises a ceramic material. 
     
     
       17. A cyclone assembly comprising a first wall member and a second wall member disposed in substantially parallel relation, means defining a plurality of corresponding sets of aligned openings within said first and second wall members, a cluster arrangement of elongated hydrocyclones having longitudinally extending parallel axes, each of said hydrocyclones including a rigid tubular inlet portion and a frusto conical portion having an outlet, said inlet portion of each said hydrocyclone extending between a corresponding set of openings within said first and second wall members, a casing surrounding said first and second wall members and cooperating therewith to define a liquid supply chamber, means for directing a liquid at a substantial pressure into said supply chamber, means forming an axially extending vortex passage for each of said hydrocyclones and projecting through the corresponding said opening within said first wall member, means defining a generally tangential inlet within said inlet portion of each hydrocyclone for directing the liquid from said supply chamber into said inlet portion of each hydrocyclone, said inlet portion of each said hydrocyclone including means forming axially spaced and circumferentially extending threads adjacent the corresponding said openings within said first and second wall members, means engaging said threads and rigidly securing each of said inlet portions to said first and second wall members, and said inlet portions of said hydrocyclones forming rigid connections between said first and second wall members to provide for withstanding the substantial hydraulic pressure of the liquid within said supply chamber. 
     
     
       18. A cyclone assembly as defined in claim 17 wherein said inlet portion of each said hydrocyclone includes means forming a peripherally extending shoulder adjacent the inner surface of one of said wall members, and said means engaging said threads comprise a threaded nut member surrounding said inlet portion adjacent the outer surface of said one wall member. 
     
     
       19. A cyclone assembly as defined in claim 17 wherein said inlet portion of each said hydrocyclone comprises a tube of rigid plastics material and having integral said threads. 
     
     
       20. A cyclone assembly as defined in claim 17 wherein each of said openings within one of said wall members comprises a threaded opening for receiving the corresponding said threads on the corresponding said inlet portion. 
     
     
       21. A cyclone assembly as defined in claim 17 including a vacuum tank having a wall forming said first wall member, means for creating a vacuum within said tank to effect deaeration of the fluid discharged through said vortex passages, a dam member within said tank to provide for collecting deaerated liquid within said tank, and means for removing the deaerated liquid from said tank. 
     
     
       22. A cyclone assembly comprising a cluster arrangement of elongated hydrocyclones having longitudinally extending parallel axes and formed of a substantially rigid material, each of said cyclones including a rigid tubular inlet portion and a generally conical portion having an apex end defining an outlet, said tubular inlet portion of each of said hydrocyclone including a set of axially spaced and outwardly projecting flanges, means for rigidly connecting corresponding said flanges of said inlet portions of said hydrocyclones to form substantially parallel first and second walls, a casing rigidly connecting said first and second walls and cooperating therewith to define a liquid supply chamber, means for directing a liquid at a substantial hydraulic pressure into said supply chamber, means forming an axially extending vortex passage for each of said hydrocyclones and projecting through said first wall, means defining a generally tangential inlet within said inlet portion of each hydrocyclone for directing the liquid from said supply chamber into said inlet portion of each said hydrocyclone, and said inlet portions of said hydrocyclones forming rigid connections of said first and second walls formed by the connected said flanges to provide for withstanding the substantial hydraulic pressure of the liquid within said supply chamber. 
     
     
       23. A cyclone assembly as defined in claim 22 wherein corresponding said flanges of said cyclones each has a plurality of straight outer surfaces, means defining a generally peripherally extending groove within said outer surfaces of each said flange, and said means for rigidly connecting said flanges comprise key members projecting into opposing said grooves of adjacent said cyclones.